Stefano’s Stories: Reconciliation in action

June 2025

June is National Indigenous History Month

Every year 140,000 kids need care and treatment at HSC Children’s Hospital. At any given time, 60 per cent of them are Indigenous. Many of them come from remote and northern communities, travelling hundreds of kilometres away from their homes, their families and their cultural supports. They can stay in the hospital for weeks or even months.

That’s why we’re supporting the development of the Indigenous Community Healing Space. It is needed for Indigenous patients and their families and is a priority as one of our ReconciliACTION initiatives.

You can help reach our fundraising goal by donating to the development of the space.

In Manitoba, Indigenous children are three to five times more likely to be affected by disease or other health conditions when compared to non-Indigenous children. It’s a grim statistic that points to systemic challenges Indigenous populations face. This is why everyone at the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, the health care heroes at HSC Children’s Hospital and the researchers at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba are committed to Reconciliation and are also dedicated to improving health outcomes of all kids who need care at HSC Children’s.

National Indigenous History month is a time to honour the unique experiences, cultures, achievements and stories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples – like Janessa.

In 2024 Children’s Hospital Foundation announced Janessa as the first Champion Child from a Northern remote First Nations community. You will remember that Janessa’s home is in Pukatawagan and her healing journey highlights the challenges children in Manitoba’s remote and isolated communities face to get specialized pediatric care.

The 2,000-sq.-ft Indigenous Community Healing Space will include an area for traditional ceremonies, a library with Indigenous children’s books and a place for visiting Elders, healers and Knowledge Keepers to share stories and help comfort kids and their families.

The Indigenous Community Healing Space is being planned through community consultation and with guidance from First Nations, Métis and Inuit leaders.

We believe that it is vitally important that Elders, Knowledge Keepers, other Indigenous community members as well as Indigenous leaders in our medical community build a framework for the development of this much-need resource. When complete, it will provide families with a culturally safe space for healing. Its design will offer a place where children and families can connect with each other and nurture their whole selves – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

In that same spirit, that’s why we wanted Indigenous community members to truly see themselves at the Teddy Bears’ Picnic, especially considering how many Indigenous children rely on HSC Children’s Hospital.

Last year Picnic started with Indigenous drummers and special messages from Indigenous leaders. Throughout the day, First Nations dancers, Inuit throat singers and Métis fiddlers took centre stage to entertain and educate children and families. On top of this, Indigenous Elders offered teachings all day long inside a teepee, further bridging connections. We’re working to have all of this in place for Picnic this year too. Please help us continue supporting areas of need like the Indigenous Community Healing Space and learn more about our Reconciliation efforts at goodbear.ca.